Steve Jobs

Most people didn’t bother going to see Danny Boyle’s Steve Jobs movie.  Most were turned off by that other recent Jobs movie starring Kelso and Olaf.  Others were probably just sick of hearing about the guy.  Whatever the reason, it was mostly ignored and in and out of theaters quite quickly.  Which would be all well and good, except for one thing:  this is a bloody great movie.

I’m well documented as being a big Sorkin fan, and so I usually enjoy most anything he writes.  That said, I understand the criticisms behind his work and recognize them.  However, I think that really good actors can blunt the edges of his writing and make it seem a little smoother and more natural.  Michael Fassbender certainly accomplishes that here, making Sorkin’s writing his own.  The other actors around him are also great.  I especially like Seth Rogan as Steve Wozniak, and greatly enjoyed all his scenes.

The story is told in three parts, backstage behind three product launches, as well as a few appropriately placed flashbacks.  This framing device works very well and gives the whole movie a unique energy.  We follow through the history of modern computing as well as get a glimpse behind Job’s family life and how it evolves.  The obvious comparison to make is 2010’s The Social Network, as both dealt with the digital revolution and the people behind it.  I think Social Network does a better job exploring the themes that come with such a revolution, but those ideas are certainly not absent here, and Job’s personality is consistent with the “unstoppable wave” of the future.  There’s some interesting ideas to snack on here for sure.  Also, its just fun to watch and listen to.
9/10

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